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Commissioners direct staff to draft six‑month extension for Linda Smith amid debate over controller hire
Summary
After lengthy discussion about ongoing financial cleanup and AP/backlog reconciliations, the board voted to have staff draft a six‑month contract extension for consultant Linda Smith, with bank reconciliation duties included only at the treasurer’s request.
The Osage County Commission directed staff to draft a six‑month contract extension for Linda Smith to continue reconciliation and accounts‑payable work while the county completes an audit and financial cleanup, after commissioners debated whether to hire a permanent county controller or retain contract services.
Linda (speaker 11), introduced to the commission by a commissioner, described the work needed to clear outstanding wires and unmatched invoices, saying she had brought fund status and comp‑of‑cash balances into agreement for the first time since 2019 and that "hours over contract to '24 were 71%" and for '25 were 31%.
Commissioners discussed oversight and division of responsibilities between BT & Co (the contracted accounting/project lead), the clerk and the treasurer. Staff member Josh (speaker 9) noted that the treasurer should be able to request bank reconciliation tasks; commissioners agreed bank reconciliation would remain in the contract but only be performed "as requested by the treasurer."
After back‑and‑forth over pay rate, scope and timing, Commissioner (speaker 4) moved that Josh draft a six‑month contract based on Linda’s proposal, with bank reconciliation work excluded unless requested by the treasurer; the motion was seconded and the board carried it by voice vote. The motion was to draft the contract for later formal approval, not to execute it immediately.
Commissioners repeatedly emphasized BT & Co’s role as project lead and said the consultant work should be aligned under that oversight. Several members said the ultimate goal remained hiring a county controller when the county’s finances are cleaned up and the timing is right.
No disciplinary or allegation language was recorded in the official motion; however, commissioners debated the risk of concentrating duties in one person during the cleanup and the balance between continuity (keeping an experienced contractor) and building in‑house capacity.
